The Mont des Arts (French) or Kunstberg (Dutch) is an urban complex that link the Place Royal in the uptown with the center of Brussels, near the Grand Place, in the downtown. The Mont des Arts mean in English Hill / Mount of the Arts. The complex includes the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Archives of Belgium, the Square – Brussels Meeting Center and also a public garden. The current configuration of the Mont des Arts dates from the urban redevelopment that took place between 1954 and 1965.
The place is known for its beautiful garden, but also for its point of view. Indeed, the top of the Mont des Arts offers probably the most known point of view on Brussels. The view gives an outstanding view of the center and the top of the town hall of Brussels. When the weather allows it, the Atomium and the Basilica of Koekelberg are visible from this point of view. At sunset, the orange and pink sky gives a captivating effect to this view.
The Mont des Arts Carillon
The Carillon is a Jacquemart Carillon clock composed of 24 bells visible on the arch of the Palais de la Dynastie. The clock has also 12 figurines that represent important historical and folkloric figures of Brussels. Furthermore, the Carillon was built for the occasion of the World Fair of 1958 that took place in Brussels..
The Jacquemart clock is composed of a figurine made of wood or metal that strikes the hours on a bell with a hammer each hour. So the one of the Mont des Arts Carillon is composed of a 2.8 m (9.2 ft) high bronze statue of a bourgeois from Brussels.
How to get to the Mont des Arts?
Address: Mont des Arts (French) / Kunstberg (Dutch) in Brussels
With its central location, the Mont the Arts is very easy to reach.
By metro and train, the site is located near the Central station. Indeed, the station is at only 150 m (0.1 mi) walking. Numerous bus stop also at the station.
With the trams 92 and 93, you can stop at Palais (French) / Paleizen (Dutch). The tram stop is at 350 m (0.2 mi) of walk from the site.
With the bus lines 48 and 95, you can stop at the Grand Place bus stop, at 300 m (0.2 mi) walk from the site.
Finally, if you want to join the Mont the Arts from the Grand Place, it is only about 400 m (0.25 mi) to walk.
Tickets
The entry is free.
Events
Some events take place on this site, which can limit the access to it.
Rooftop
Few people know, but the top of the Royal Library of Belgium has a rooftop. The place has an amazing view over the city center and also on the Palace of Justice.
